Line in the Sand for My Health

I celebrated my 66th birthday a couple of weeks ago, and a few months before that, I took steps to be more proactive with my health.

Generally, I’m very active. Even though I have energy, walk at least 8k steps a day, attend strength training classes at the gym, and sleep well for the most part, I still feel off. For one thing, my weight has gone up significantly in the last year. I wish I could attribute it to indulging in chocolate brownies every night because that would be easy to remedy. However, I have had the same basic diet (mostly) for the last few years. 

When I mentioned this to my doctor, her answer was always the same, “Eat less carbs.” She said there wasn’t anything alarming in my blood work to warrant additional medicine or tests to help with my weight.  In short, there weren’t any red flags. 

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ENTER LIFEFORCE

Last March, I heard about a proactive health program called Lifeforce on social media.  With a membership in this program, they test and, most importantly, explain over 50 biomarkers from your blood work taken every three months (the phlebotomist will even come to your home.)  

You speak directly with a doctor via Zoom every three months. The doctor reviews your blood work in depth and answers any questions or concerns you may have. 

 When did you last have 30 minutes of uninterrupted time with your doctor to discuss your health?   

In addition, you can contact your personally assigned health coach unlimitedly by text, email, or quarterly on Zoom. 

I’ve never really understood what it all meant in the years I've had bloodwork done. I relied on the doctor to tell me if it looked good. Lifeforce shows you the normal, optimal, and out-of-range markers for over 50 indicators that affect your hormones, critical nutrients, organ health, metabolic condition, and key risk factors. 

If you are into all the details, there are plenty for you.  Personally, I'm not concerned about whether the indicators are normal or optimal. However,  if there is a small or large room for improvement, I want to know how to remedy the situation as soon as possible.  

When my test results from Lifeforce came back, the first thing I noticed was that my cholesterol was off the charts at 242.  The normal range is 199-171, and the optimal is 100-170.  My LDL  number was also out of range.  

I looked back at my bloodwork from the previous three times I’d had my annual physical, and the number had steadily climbed. 

Why hadn’t my doctor said anything about this?

 For years, when I bothered to look or ask, my cholesterol was in the 190s, so I was never that concerned about it. There were no other indicators; my blood pressure was always good, and the doctor said my numbers “looked great.”  

I had my annual appointment just two months after my Lifeforce test results, and when I questioned my doctor about my cholesterol's climbing number, she still didn't seem all that concerned. 

When I reminded her that there were heart health issues in my family, she said if I were really worried about it, she would schedule a Calcium Score CT scan.  This test would check the amount of plaque in my arteries to determine if there was any cause for alarm. 

At my follow-up appointment, my doctor asked me if I’d heard the term “Widow Maker?” 

Well, yes, I had.

 If she intended to scare me, it worked.  

She told me my number was 129 and that the range of 100-300 was cause for concern.  The other issue was that my calcium buildup was in the same area.  She suggested that I get on a statin right away.  

My doctor’s  “bedside manner” had always been lacking, so after this appointment and receiving my results,  I decided to locate a new primary care physician a month prior. 

Initially, I appreciated my doctor's straightforward approach, but there has been an ongoing lack of encouragement and teamwork in managing my health. I consistently felt worse after my appointments, as she attributed everything to my poor diet, which she told me was my responsibility. 

This time, I let her know I would not be returning and needed some time to think about alternatives to taking a statin.  It turned out that she was leaving the practice and the medical field altogether within the next month.

 Hmmm, there is a sign. 

Armed with this new information, I realized my former doctor had been partly correct in suggesting that I change my diet over the past three years. I found YouTube videos further explaining the calcium score and researched statins, diet changes, etc.  

As is my habit, I investigated for hours online. Much information is available on high cholesterol, statins, calcium scans, the best diets for your heart, etc. Dr. Berg is an excellent place to start, if for no other reason than the amount of available information.  Afterward, I ordered five books on lowering cholesterol and keto diet cookbooks, the standard for lowering cholesterol: fewer carbohydrates. 

Yes, I know this is what the doctor had been telling me, but not in a way that made me aware of how it directly affected my heart and other organs, not in a way that made me pay attention until now.  I am grateful that she ordered the CT scan so that I could see the facts for myself. 

 I finally have the hard, indisputable proof to make a change. Carbs and I have been friends for a long time, but we must see less of each other.

Analyzing my results with Lifeforce, I also found that my thyroid levels were low and my glucose levels were high, which may be a factor in my difficulty losing weight. My program clinician recommended two common medications to see if they would help my weight become more manageable to shed. I’m excited to try them. I’ll let you know.  

Final Thoughts on ProActive Health

The main point of my story is that we all need to take proactive steps with our health.

 It's essential not to rely solely on our doctor's opinion but also to pay attention to how we feel and any changes we notice in our bodies. Do your research.  If you feel like something is wrong, get a second opinion. 

I'm not advocating solely for Lifeforce, as other health programs exist. However, if you are looking for an opinion from someone who has been a member, I highly recommend them. Research and come to your own conclusions about what works best for you. 

As always, thanks for reading.  

Keep smiling!

Xx